The landscape of the highest-paid offensive tackles in the NFL has dramatically shifted during the past several seasons. These fearless protectors are cashing in before the 2024 season begins — that type of transformative energy is hard to quantify. Who is the highest-paid OT in the NFL, and which other offensive tackles round out the top of the positional market?
The Highest-Paid Offensive Tackles by Average Annual Value
1) Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | AAV: $28.12 Million
The calendar struck August 1, and the Tampa Buccaneers and Tristan Wirfs were able to reach an agreement, one that made him the highest-paid tackle in the NFL. The blindside protector for Baker Mayfield will provide trench stability to a team that won a playoff game in 2023.
Extending Wirfs and drafting center Graham Barton in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bucs are committed to improving a rushing offense that finished last in yards per game in 2023.
Sources: Buccaneers and three-time Pro-Bowl OT Tristan Wirfs reached agreement on a five-year, $140.63 million contract extension that now makes him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. Wirfs was in the final year of a contract scheduled to pay him $18.24 million… pic.twitter.com/J6LsFEB9Of
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 1, 2024
2) Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions | AAV: $28 Million
Detroit Lions All-Pro OT Penei Sewell was the highest-paid offensive tackle in the NFL after signing a four-year, $112 million extension. Sewell also signed for $85 million in guaranteed salary, beating out the previous high at the position from New York Giants OT Andrew Thomas at $67 million.
Sewell has been instrumental in establishing a punishing ground attack in Detroit, complementing the zeitgeist of the city. The Lions were a few plays away from making its first Super Bowl in team history, and the front office is counting on Sewell’s stability to propel the offense to higher heights.
3) Christian Darrisaw, Minnesota Vikings | AAV: $26 Million
On July 23, 2024, Christian Darrisaw and the team agreed to a four-year, $104 million extension. The deal initially was reported with language that included “up to $113 million.” However, the core deal is for $104 million, and it includes $77 million in guarantees.
Minnesota Vikings brass are counting on Darrisaw to anchor an offensive line set to block for a new quarterback this year — either veteran Sam Darnold or first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy.
4) Laremy Tunsil, Houston Texans | AAV: $25 Million
In March 2023, Laremy Tunsil’s wish to become the highest-paid left tackle in NFL history came true when the Texans gave him a three-year, $75 million extension. Tunsil received $60 million in full guarantees, setting a new record among offensive linemen.
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The three-time Pro Bowler represented himself in negotiations to become the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. This was Tunsil’s second extension with the Texans, who acquired him from the Miami Dolphins in 2019 via trade.
5) Andrew Thomas, New York Giants | AAV: $23.5 Million
The Giants made Andrew Thomas the second-highest-paid offensive tackle in the league by handing him a five-year, $117.5 million in July 2023. Thomas received $67 million in full guarantees, setting a new record among offensive linemen.
New York acted early to extend Thomas, who was still under contract through 2024 thanks to his fifth-year option. By extending him now, the Giants were able to reduce Thomas’ 2023 cap charge from $10.3 million to roughly $5 million.
6) Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers | AAV: $23.01 Million
In March 2021, the 49ers and Trent Williams agreed to a six-year deal worth $138.06 million — good for a $23.01 million AAV. Of that total, $55.1 million is guaranteed, including a $30.1 million signing bonus. As a result, Williams became the NFL’s highest-paid tackle and held that title for two years.
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Williams is signed through the 2026 campaign, when he’ll be 38 years old. His contract will stay relatively uniform throughout the life of the deal. Williams’ cap charge will be $27.28 million in 2023 and will top out at $34.15 million in 2026.
7) Jordan Mailata, Philadelphia Eagles | AAV: $22 Million
Mailata and the Eagles agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $66 million with $48 million guaranteed in April 2024. Part of Mailata’s guaranteed salary includes a $20 million signing bonus for the former seventh-round draft pick from Australia.
Before signing the extension, Mailata had two years left on a four-year, $64 million contract the signed before the 2021 season. Now, the Eagles have their star left tackle under contract through 2028.
8) Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles | AAV: $20.18 Million
During the 2023 NFL offseason, the Eagles extended offensive lineman Lane Johnson to a one-year deal worth $33.445 million and $30 million in guarantees.
The Eagles were able to save $9.4 million in immediate cap relief upon making this move and secured their starting right tackle through 2026.
9) Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills | AAV: $20.02 Million
After posting a joke that he was leaving Buffalo in March of 2024, the Bills extended left tackle Dion Dawkins to a three-year extension worth $60.5 million.
Dawkins is the longest-tenured member of Buffalo’s offense, and this deal locked him down to protect Josh Allen’s blind side through the 2027 season.
T-10) Jawaan Taylor, Kansas City Chiefs | AAV: $20 Million
The Chiefs locked in former Jaguar Jawaan Taylor on the first day of the legal tampering period, inking the 25-year-old to a four-year, $80 million deal with the intention of moving him from right to left tackle. Taylor received $40 million guaranteed at signing and $60 million in total guarantees.
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By keeping his 2023 base salary low, Kansas City will set Taylor’s cap charge for next season at just $5.825 million. But from 2024-26, his salaries will increase to $19.5 million, while his cap numbers will, in turn, rise to $24.725 million. Realistically, the Chiefs are tied to Taylor through 2025. After that season, K.C. could release him, having paid him $60 million over three years.
T-10) Taylor Decker, Detroit Lions | AAV: $20 Million
The Lions and Taylor Decker reached an agreement on a three-year, $60 million contract extension, per Schefter. The Ohio State Buckeye was going to earn $13.7 entering the last year of his contract; now, he’s under contract through the 2027 season.
Don’t think the Lions are believers in the trenches? Think again. Detroit joins Philly as the only two teams in the NFL with both bookend tackles on the highest-paid tackle list. With Penei Sewell and Decker controlling the edges, the scheme can be ultra-balanced, catering to ground-and-pound tendencies while stretching the field through play-action.
Dan Campbell likely chugged a pot of coffee and fist-pumped vigorously in celebration of having Sewell and Decker locked up for the foreseeable future.
